Due to the demands of federal legislation, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in particular, social studies instruction has become increasingly marginalized in elementary classrooms (Bollick, Adams, & Willox, 2010; Heafner, Lipscomb, & Fitchett, 2014; Holloway & Chiodo, 2009; Jones & Thomas, 2006; Morton & Dalton, 2007). One possible solution to this problem is to integrate social studies and reading instruction. This qualitative case study examined six third grade teachers’ perceptions of and experiences with social studies and reading as they attempted to integrate the two subjects through the use of economics book clubs in their classrooms over six weeks. The primary research question under investigation was: What impact does integrating economics with reading through book clubs have on six third grade teachers’ perceptions of social studies? The researcher prepared for and led professional development, split into two sessions, to teach the participants about integrating curriculum and book clubs. Then, data was triangulated (Stakes, 1995; Yin, 2003) by using multiple sources which included three focus group interviews, anecdotal notes from weekly planning meetings, two professional development sessions, weekly written reflections from each participant, and weekly lesson plans. The analysis of multiple data sets over time revealed that the participating teachers considered integrating economics and reading through book clubs a positive experience, an effective use of instruction time for both social studies and reading, and a meaningful approach to students’ active learning. While the teachers initially struggled to adjust to an integrated instructional method and many students being pulled out for special need services, upon observing students being highly engaged in learning, the teachers started to develop positive attitudes toward the curriculum integration and perceived the integrated book clubs as a worthwhile strategy to prioritize social studies instruction. The current study contributes to the field of social studies by providing empirical research on elementary teachers’ struggles and efforts with improving the state of elementary social studies instruction through innovative and integrated practices, specifically through the use of book clubs. The study also contributes to the field of social studies and reading content integration by focusing specifically on integrating economics with reading comprehension.

China’s import cross-border e-commerce (CICBEC) business model differs from other online shopping business models in both the participators and transaction processes. Government as an important participator has greatly promoted the healthy and rapid development of this business model. As a vital topic in all kinds of businesses, customer trust is also a core research topic in online shopping. Many scholars have studied customer trust in traditional online shopping while few of them focused on cross-border online shopping, let alone the CICBEC business model. The government is a new participator, whose contribution on customer trust is not clear. Also, other known variables’ influences on customer trust are still worthy of discussion. This research aims to address existing research gap by contributing to Lee and Turban (2001)’s Customer Trust in Internet Shopping (CTIS) Model and constructing a new customer trust model. A number of influencing factors of customer trust were defined and tested in this research. It shows that influencing factors from four participators, the e-retailers, e- commerce platforms, government and third-parties, have a significant correlation with customer trust. The final results show that order fulfillment, government actions, e-retailer reputation, information quality, e-commerce platform security and e-commerce platform reputation have significant influences on customer trust.

The use of receptor-targeted lipid microbubbles imaged by ultrasound is an innovative method of detecting and localizing disease. However, since ultrasound requires a medium between the transducer and the object being imaged, it is impractical to apply to an exposed surface in a surgical setting where sterile fields need be maintained. Additionally, the application of an ultrasound gel to the imaging surface may cause the bubbles to collapse. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is an emerging tool for accurate imaging of tissues and cells with high resolution and contrast. We have recently developed a novel method for detecting targeted microbubble adherence to the upregulated plectin-receptor on pancreatic tumor cells using MPM. Specifically, the third-harmonic generation response can be used to detect bound microbubbles to various cell types presenting MPM as an alternative and useful imaging method. This is an interesting technique that can potentially be translated as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of cancer and inflammatory disorders.

Thesis (MAcc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Due to the integration of IT into all aspects of modern-day businesses, it is vital that the risks associated with IT are governed as an integral element of enterprise-wide corporate governance. The Third King Report on Corporate Governance (King III) was issued by the South African Chapter of the Institute of Directors in September 2009 and becomes operational on 1 March 2010. This marks the first time that the King Report has specifically addressed IT governance. King III will apply to all corporate entities. Such entities could benefit from applying an IT governance framework to ensure that they adequately address all aspects of IT governance, as required by King III. One of the comprehensive frameworks available is COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) issued by ISACA (previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association). King III mentions the fact that COBIT could be used to assess and implement IT governance within an entity. The aim of this research is to determine whether the use of COBIT ensures compliance with King III’s requirements relating to IT governance. It was found that the main requirements in King III relating to IT governance and the processes of COBIT are well aligned, and, as a result, COBIT could be used effectively to ensure compliance with King III in relation to IT governance. However, an entity would still have to pay attention to certain King III-specific requirements. Furthermore, it was found that the application of the principles in COBIT could further strengthen the IT governance of an entity, as COBIT also addresses the more detailed activities, such as the implementation and operation of the IT system, which is not specifically addressed by King III.

This thesis examines third-party actor influence on the domestic level in the ongoing diplomatic negotiations between P5+1 and Iran, with the research question being; What demands, arguments and strategies does the Congress and AIPAC use to influence the negotiation process between the U.S. and Iran? Secondly, what are their goals for doing so? Furthermore, the combined theoretical framework has been applied onto the material using a critical method in order to answer the questions. Legislative bills from the Congress, regarding congressional insight to the agreement, have been approved. In this pressured negotiation process with high stakes it is astounding that these actions are allowed. Due to this behavior from Congress, amongst others, it becomes interesting to study the negotiation process and its salient third-party actor influence. The results suggests that legislative actions combined with various demands and arguments, focused on mistrust of Iran, history and the security of Israel, are their main strategies to gain influence. An additional new, third, level has also been discovered by the authors of this thesis in regards to these complicated negotiations.

No description available.

The Taiwanese middle class has experienced two waves of crisis over the past three decades in the context of a colonization transition involving globalization and democratization as primary catalysts. On the economic front, Taiwan’s economy has become increasingly integrated into the Chinese market, resulting approximately one million of the Taiwanese middle class relocating to China. Moreover, neoliberal economic reforms have led to a downsized state sector of the Taiwanese economy. These economic changes affect the growth and stability of the Taiwanese middle class. Meanwhile, on the political front, an ongoing democratic consolidation and decolonization efforts have brought about significant political changes in Taiwan that have deepened Taiwanese nationalism. While economic and political processes appear to be opposite, however, in reality they have been mutually reinforcing, causing increasingly differentiated middle class. The political economy dynamics conditioned in a colonial context suggest that the swing voters of a differentiated middle class play a pivotal role in determining electoral outcomes, and electoral outcomes reshape the differentiated middle class.

Abstract In recent years there has been a growing interest in studying bilinear time series models. However, there are difficult problems related to the order identification of these models. In this paper, we consider the bilinear time series models, Xt = BXt-k et-1 + et , k>i, k=i and k<i, and propose some methods of order identification based on the structure of autocovarance of {X2t} and the third-order-automoment of {xt}. Decision rules as well as simulated bilinear time series are compared. An advantage of our methods is its simple of implementation.

<p>This thesis is an analysis of how international policies on HIV prevention can be understood through a postcolonial perspective and how these prevention strategies are reflected nationally and locally in Babati, Tanzania. To gain knowledge of these aims I have focused on UNAIDS and the US’ government policies to get an idea of where the international discourse about HIV prevention stands. My empirical data in Babati is collected by semi-structural interviews with people who work with HIV prevention. I have used Chandra Talpade Mohanty’s understanding of Third World women, together with Jenny Kitzinger theory about women in HIV discourses and Karen M Booth’s view of how international policies are trying to empower women to reduce their risk of HIV infection. To assist my analysis I have focused on three notions, which are recurring in the HIV prevention discourse, these are: empowerment of women, condom use and sexual behaviour. These notions help to establish the HIV discourse and later I have compared the results with my theoretical framework and empirical findings. My final conclusion is that international policies on HIV prevention can be seen as imperialistic as they are promoting a certain change in sexual behaviour, such as reduction of partners and abstinence until marriage.</p>

<p><p>The globalization has increased the trade between different places and countries. Products are now available from all over the world, but this requires transports that have consequences in the environment as well as the economy. New professions are creates that do formality, organize, administrate and implement other businesses transports. Their operations are between the business and customer and they are called logistics companies. The purpose of this report was to study third-party logistics and why more and more companies use this logistics services. A literature study was done to research This. The study is based on a literature work in the field of logistics by using books, articles and the Internet. The report also studied whether there are differences between terms within third-party logistics from 1980-90s and today. In third-party logistics it is emphasize to there is focus on using a logistics company as a good alternative for the companies who aren´t able to have a high quantity in their own vehicle. The purpose with route planning is to use the availability in the vehicle and try to have as high filling degree as possible. The filling degree is usually calculated on how much of the total area, volume or weight that is used.</p><p>Since the origin of the term third-party logistics in the 80-90s, the positive and negative aspects have been the same. But during the years more positive aspects have appeared. There are more positive aspects about third-party logistics than negative. Companies’ use and dependence of what third-party logistics can offer, have provided the companies with mostly positive aspects.</p><p>The logistics concept is more complex today that it was at its origin and it includes more activities. In the 90s, the concept forwarder was used to describe a person who coordinated the transports while the transporter was the one who executed the transports. By looking at outdated literature, we can presume that the future will bring more changes and that the role of respective parties will become even more unclear than they are today.</p><p>From the theory a deeper analysis was done in form of interviews with four third-logistics companies, to find out how transports work out in real life. The questions were classified in three groups; routes, filling degree and environment. The four companies worked constantly to improve the filling degree by different types of coordination and better loading, but also to by having goods in the return transport. Three of four companies thought that the transports were too cheap. A large number of goods are transported long distances back and forth. The logistics companies tried to offer their customers good customers service with cheap, fast and close transports in order to be competitive. We think that the logistics companies must take more responsibility and shouldn’t drive empty trucks, no matter the price they get. By a high filling rate the environments can be saved, because it will take fewer transports and it improves the company’s economy. The logistics companies of tomorrow have big challenges to overcome if they should continue a sustainable development that benefits their economic situation and the environment.</p></p>